But stuff going down later tonight necessitates a quick little run-down of the dynamics of this place.
Most of my call center jobs of the past have all been primarily an "every man for himself" kinda atmosphere. Turnover seemed to be too rapid for solid cliques to develop. Well, with a few noteworthy exceptions (like the iCare fiasco).
Well here, at the mental health facility, even though I have so far witnessed quite a staff transition and some dramatic exits, there's definitely a trend for folks to pool together in what amounts to different factions.
Like any job, there's Management and their mentality. In larger companies it can vary greatly between one manager to the next as to what exactly defines their "mentality" but here it is a party of only 4 people, so it's solidly by the book and towing the company line. Well, actually, I should say towing the CEO's line. She is most assuredly the head kahuna and everyone knows it. Her word is law and no one defies it. To her face that is.
Non-management here have people in various positions, some with more responsibility and tenure, thus assumably a greater voice and more leeway, right? Not necessarily. Staff with many years of experience and holding a great degree of education in their field have either been outright fired or pressured to leave. There seem to be no sacred cows here. Except the CEO. All Hail the CEO!
Us direct care staff are best divided into two camps. Those in the Junta and those not. And woe to those not. They appear vulnerable to becoming any Junta member's fodder for what ever cannonballs may be hurled their way.
The Junta is decidedly not pro-management, but they make themselves out to be in the eyes of those that peer out at the masses. Well, just one set of eyes really. Yup, you guessed it...the CEO's. And though they proclaim to be against the gossip mill, against stool pigeonry, against deceit, cover-up and corruption, they are the biggest propagator of all of these behaviors.
As you probably can tell, I'm not in the Junta.
I came close to calling them out early on here, but held back. I bided my time and decided to call a truce with them. I proved to them I could keep my mouth shut and conduct a Sargent Shultz attitude. It's probably by virtue of this move I'm still here.
But my little sidekick Mike is to be their first major victim during my time here. And he only started working here a couple months ago.
Cocksure, opinionated, aloof and silver-tongued, he reminds me so much of myself at his age. Ah, the early 20s. But this demeanor does not play well to the Junta. The Junta demands deference and blind adherence. The Junta shuns anyone who could become a threat to their own false sense of security. For they live in spite and sometimes outward contempt, but ultimately in constant fear and dread of the wrath of the Almighty CEO.
Little Mike will be fired tonight and I, unfortunately, have to bear witness to the sneak attack. He's a bit of a hot head though and I fear there may be potential for some fireworks.
Like the Casey Anthony trial I watch diligently every day, this makes for high drama. But this scene is playing out too close to home. I can only wonder if the Junta ultimately has cross-hairs pinned on me as well.